Kit for assembling a device for protecting junction boxes on the outside walls of buildings and/or utility service units near the outside walls of buildings from the effects of weather, etc.

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a kit for making a device for protecting junction boxes on the outside walls of buildings and/or utility service units near the outside walls of buildings from the effects of weather, etc. To create a kit which can be used very quickly and easily to protect the previously mentioned junction boxes and utility service units from the effects of the weather, etc., where the cost of a kit of this type is very low, the kit consists of a U-shaped frame ( 4 ), which can be attached to the outside wall ( 2 ), and which carries a seal ( 6 ) on the side ( 5 ) of ( 4 ) facing the outside wall ( 2 ). A roof ( 9 ), which slants downward from the frame ( 4 ), can be mounted on the connecting web ( 7 ) between the sidepieces ( 8 ) of the frame ( 4 ). In the area of the front edge ( 10 ) of the roof ( 9 ), posts ( 11 ) are provided, which can be connected to the roof ( 9 ) and which are mounted on ground anchors ( 13 ) or the like inserted into the ground.

The invention relates to a kit for making a device for protecting junction boxes on the outside walls of buildings and/or utility service units near the outside walls of buildings from the effects of weather, etc.

In the United States of America, service entrance boxes for electrical and telephone lines, etc., are usually attached to readily accessible locations on the outside walls of residential buildings. Anyone can easily see these boxes, and anyone can tamper with them. Utility service units for swimming pools, air-conditioning systems, etc., are installed on the ground near an outside wall. The effects of weather lead to damage to these systems; e.g., metal parts begin to rust after exposure to moisture, and plastic parts become porous on exposure to sunlight, etc.

The invention is based on the task of creating a kit of the general type indicated above by means of which the previously mentioned junction boxes and utility service units can be provided very quickly and easily with protection against the weather, etc., the cost of a kit of this type also being very low.

This task is accomplished according to the invention by a kit with the characterizing features of claim 1.

Advantageous elaborations of the invention are described in the subclaims.

The inventive kit is characterized in particular by the fact that protection against the weather for junction boxes and utility service units for residential buildings can be provided very quickly and easily with only a few tools. The only step which is required is to drill holes in the outside wall so that the frame can be screwed on. All parts of the kit are designed to fit together and are then screwed together.

Thanks to the device or the covering for the junction box, the side effect of a special appearance is created, as a result of which the direct view of the junction box, which is usually not highly attractive, is blocked and the way in which it is installed is concealed.

Additional advantages of the invention can be derived from the following description, which is based on embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the schematic diagrams:

FIG. 1 shows a view from the front, in perspective, of a first embodiment of a device made from the kit;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a view from the rear, in perspective, of the device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a second embodiment of the device made from the kit;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the device according to FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 shows a simplified rear view of the device according to FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of a device 1 shown in FIGS. 1-3, which is provided to protect utility service units such as those needed for swimming pools, air-conditioning systems, etc., in areas near an outside wall 2 of a building 3 against the effects of weather, etc., the kit consists of a U-shaped frame 4, which can be attached to the outside wall 2. The frame is attached to the outside wall 2 by means of screws, and a seal 6 is provided on the side 5 of the frame facing the outside wall 2.

A roof 9, which slants downward from the frame 4 and which is preferably screwed to the frame, can be mounted on the connecting web 7 extending between the sidepieces 8 of the frame 4.

In the area of the front 10 of the roof 9, posts 11 are provided, which can be connected to the sides of the roof 9, and which are mounted on ground anchors 13 or the like inserted into the ground 12. The connection between the roof 9 and the posts 11 is preferably designed as a plug-and-socket connection.

As can be derived from the description up to now, even a lay person can quickly and easily use the inventive kit to make a device 1 for protecting utility service units from the effects of the weather.

In the embodiment of a device 14 shown in FIGS. 4-6, which is intended to protect service entrance boxes such as those used for electrical or telephone lines, etc., the kit again consists of a frame 4 with a seal 6, a roof 9, posts 11, and ground anchors 13. In contrast to the device 1 according to FIGS. 1-3, however, the frame 4 and/or its sidepieces 8 are designed somewhat differently. Here the sidepieces 8 of the frame 4 extend almost to the ground 12.

This kit also has side walls 15, which can be attached or screwed to the sidepieces 8 of the U-shaped frame 4 and to the posts 11.

To close off the front 16 of the device 14, furthermore, at least one flap 17 can be provided (two flaps 17 being shown in FIG. 4), which are attached to the sides 18 of the posts 11 facing away from the outside wall 2 and/or to the bottom edge 19 of the roof frame 20. The flap 17 or flaps 17 can be attached so that they hang from the device 14 or swing on it. At least one handle 21 is provided on them.

Vent grates 22 for aerating the interior space, i.e., of the junction box, are provided in the side walls 15 and/or in the flap 17 or flaps 17.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 device (FIGS. 1-3) -   2 outside wall of 3 -   3 building -   4 frame of 1 or 14 -   5 side of 4 facing 2 -   6 seal on 5 -   7 connecting web of 4 -   8 sidepieces of 4 -   9 roof of 1 or 14 -   10 front edge of 9 -   11 posts of 1 or 14 -   12 ground -   13 ground anchor in 12 for 11 -   14 device (FIGS. 4-6) -   15 side walls of 14 -   16 front of 14 -   17 flap(s) of 14 on 16 -   18 sides of 11 facing away from 2 -   19 bottom edge of 20 -   20 roof frame of 9 -   21 handle(s) on 17 -   22 vent grates in 15 and 17 

1. A kit for making a device for protecting junction boxes on outside walls of buildings and/or utility service units near the outside walls of buildings from the effects of weather, etc., wherein the kit comprising a U-shaped frame adapted to the outside wall, and carrying a seal on a side of the frame facing the outside wall; a roof (9), which slants downward from the frame, mountable on the connecting web between the sidepieces of the frame; wherein, in the area of a front edge of the roof, posts are provided, which are connectable to the roof and which are mounted on ground anchors or the like inserted into the ground.
 2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein side walls can be attached to the sidepieces of the U-shaped frame and to the posts.
 3. The kit according to claim 1, wherein at least one flap for closing off the front of the device, is mounted on the side (18) of the posts facing away from the outside wall and/or at the bottom edge (19) of the roof frame (20).
 4. The kit according to claim 3, wherein the flap is detachably attached to the device.
 5. The kit according to claim 3, wherein the flap is attached so that it can swing on the device.
 6. The kit according to claim 1, wherein vent grates are provided in the side walls and/or in the flap.
 7. The kit according to one of the claims, wherein at least one handle is provided on the flap. 